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ETD Abstract Container

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Effects of Race, Class, and Social Capital on the Formation of Aspirations among High School Students

Smith, Marcus L.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1307322265

Abstract Details

2011, MA, University of Cincinnati, Arts and Sciences: Sociology.
This work examines the under-recognized complexity of how race and socioeconomic status (SES) shape aspirations and mobility prospects for teenagers transitioning to adulthood. In this research, I follow Young (2004) in conceiving of aspirations as future-oriented goals, coupled with clearly articulated strategies for attainment. I test three main hypotheses: first, that white and middle-class students will have more ambitious goals than their non-white and working-class counterparts. Second, I hypothesize that white and middle-class students will have more well-articulated strategies for attaining their goals than non-white and working-class students. Lastly, I hypothesize that aspects of the home environment explain these differences, specifically in terms of the social capital available to teenagers. The data for this research come from fifteen one-hour interviews with randomly selected high school students (juniors and seniors), stratified on the basis of race and SES. I asked these students about their educational and occupational goals and whether they have specific plans for achieving those goals. In addition, I asked about the sources of their aspirations, including aspects of their home environments and close social ties both inside and outside of their families. I found that middle class students typically have higher goals then working class students, while non-white students have higher goals than white students. These differences in aspirations are strongly tied to individuals’ social networks.
Annulla Linders, PhD (Committee Chair)
Jeffrey Timberlake, PhD (Committee Member)
46 p.
Sociology

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Smith, M. L. (2011). Effects of Race, Class, and Social Capital on the Formation of Aspirations among High School Students [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1307322265

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Smith, Marcus. Effects of Race, Class, and Social Capital on the Formation of Aspirations among High School Students. 2011. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1307322265.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Smith, Marcus. "Effects of Race, Class, and Social Capital on the Formation of Aspirations among High School Students." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2011. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1307322265

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1307322265
770
© 2011, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.